Al Yusra

Verily With Every Difficulty Comes Relief

Suicide Prevention

Welcome to the Suicide Prevention Resource Section

This section provides information and resources related to suicide prevention from both an Islamic and general mental health perspective. Please use the navigation on the left to explore the different topics.

At Al Yusra, we believe in the sanctity of life and the importance of seeking help and providing support. Verily, with every difficulty comes relief (Quran 94:6).

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline without delay.


Statistics on Suicide: Global, Regional, and Community Insights

Understanding the Numbers: A Global and Community Perspective

Statistics on suicide provide a stark reminder of the scale of this public health issue and highlight the urgent need for compassionate and effective prevention efforts. While numbers alone cannot capture the depth of individual suffering, they help us understand a Glimpse of the scope of the problem, identify vulnerable populations, and advocate for better resources. It is important to approach these figures with sensitivity, remembering that behind every statistic is a human life and a network of affected loved ones.

Global Overview

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide is a global phenomenon affecting all regions of the world.

  • Annual Deaths: More than 720,000 people die due to suicide every year globally. This means that approximately one person takes their own life every 40-45 seconds.
  • Youth Vulnerability: Suicide is a significant cause of death among young people. Globally, it was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds in 2021.
  • Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A significant majority, around 73% to 77% of global suicides, occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources for mental health support and prevention may be limited.
  • Attempts vs. Deaths: For every person who dies by suicide, there are many more individuals who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is a significant risk factor for future attempts.

(Source: World Health Organization (WHO), data primarily from 2019 and 2021 reports.)

Situation in Specific Regions (e.g., United States)

Data from countries like the United States, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offer a more detailed regional picture:

  • In 2023, the United States saw 49,316 deaths by suicide.
  • This translates to about one death every 11 minutes.
  • In 2022, an estimated 12.8 million adults in the U.S. seriously thought about suicide, 3.7 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.5 million attempted suicide.
  • Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 in the U.S. in 2023.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).)

Suicide in Muslim Communities

Understanding suicide statistics within Muslim communities requires careful consideration due to several factors:

  • Underreporting: Suicide is strictly forbidden (haram) in Islam. This strong religious prohibition, combined with social stigma and, in some countries, the criminalization of suicidal acts, can lead to significant underreporting or misclassification of suicides in Muslim-majority countries and communities.
  • Data Quality: The availability and quality of data on suicide can be poor in many LMICs, which include a large number of Muslim-majority nations.

Despite these challenges, research indicates:

  • Generally Lower Reported Rates: Historically, many Muslim-majority countries have reported lower suicide rates compared to the global average. This is often attributed to the protective aspects of Islamic faith, strong family and community ties, and lower rates of alcohol consumption (a known risk factor).
  • Nuances and Concerns: However, these lower reported rates should be interpreted with caution. Some studies suggest that while overall rates might be lower, certain stressors (e.g., conflict, displacement, socio-economic pressures, discrimination faced by Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries) can increase vulnerability. Furthermore, some Muslim-majority countries (e.g., Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Kazakhstan, Sierra Leone, as noted in some research) have reported suicide rates higher than the global average, indicating that the issue is complex and varies significantly by region and context.
  • Youth and LMICs: As with global trends, youth in Muslim communities, particularly in LMICs, can be vulnerable. The high percentage of global suicides occurring in LMICs impacts many Muslim populations.

(Sources: Various research articles including studies published in PMC NCBI, such as "Suicide in Muslim world and way forward" (Shoib et al., 2022) and cross-national studies.)

The Importance of Context and Compassion

While statistics are important for public health planning, it is crucial to remember the Islamic emphasis on the sanctity of every life and the prohibition against despair. Regardless of statistical rates, every instance of suicidal thought or behavior is a call for help and requires a compassionate, supportive response from the community.

Efforts within Muslim communities should focus on:

  • Destigmatizing mental health struggles.
  • Promoting help-seeking behavior.
  • Providing culturally and religiously sensitive mental health support.
  • Strengthening community bonds and protective factors rooted in Islamic teachings.

Understanding these statistics should motivate us to enhance preventative measures, support those who are struggling, and foster environments where hope and healing are accessible to all, in accordance with the compassionate teachings of Islam.

References: * World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Suicide. Retrieved from [Insert WHO URL from research_notes.md] * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Facts About Suicide. Retrieved from [Insert CDC URL from research_notes.md] * Shoib, S., Armiya’u, A. Y., Nahidi, M., Arif, N., & Saeed, F. (2022). Suicide in Muslim world and way forward. Health Science Reports, 5(4), e665. Retrieved from [Insert PMC NCBI URL from research_notes.md] * []


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